The Nigerian Defence Headquarters has said that troops of the Operation Safe Haven have sustained offensive against criminal elements and ensured a hitch-free and peaceful Sallah celebration within their area of operation.
The Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Bernard Onyeuko, said in a statement in Abuja that the troops had on July 7 and July 8, apprehended two notorious kidnappers Abdulrazaq Umar and Idris Abdullahi at Heipang in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State in northern Nigeria..
He explained that in the operation, which was conducted in conjunction with the Nigerian police, the suspects confessed to have carried out several kidnapping activities within Plateau and Bauchi States, including the murder of Alhaji Saleh Abdulhamid (Shaba) at Ex Land Village on June 22.
Onyeuko said they also revealed that one Malam Buhari Umar was the leader of the gang.
He added while enroute the criminals’ hideout, the suspects who attempted to escape were neutralized, while in the raid operation on July 9, at Mailafia, Nisama, Dogon Filli and Gidan Waya all in Jema’a Local Government Area of Kaduna State, two armed robbers George Yakubu, 26; and George Joseph, 25, were apprehended.
According to him, items recovered from the suspects include three AK-47 riffles, one knife, one cutting hoe, one cutter and one spanner among others.
“Also, on the same day, troops responded to a distress call that gunmen attacked a Toyota Hummer Bus with Registration Number LFA 322 YR Nasarawa at Dogon Filli village.
“Troops mobilised to the scene and rescued nine passengers who were held hostage.
“The military high command commends troops of Operation Safe Haven for their efforts and encourages the general public to avail troops with credible and timely information on criminal activities,” the statement added,
GIK/APA